Ticking clock movies are some of my favorite films. Then you add in some nice gore and some unexpectedly funny moments and I’m pushing my chips all in. “Triggered” is a nice little horror film that arrived too late for Halloween but will give you chills, nonetheless.
“Triggered” checks every box in the horror genre and does so with glee and that’s part of the film’s charm. The acting isn’t great, most of the dialogue is even worse, but when it hits its mark, the film is a fun and gory ride with some unexpected humor that is sure to please.
The film begins with a group of early twentysomethings gathering in the woods for an impromptu get together. The high school friends have come to the remote location for a night of fun and catching up. Of course, they’re enjoying the pleasures that paint the very familiar bloody target on your back in every horror flick – sex, drugs and drinking to excess.
Their fun time is crashed when they wake up to find a fancy new fashion accessory attached to their chest – a metal vest with a timer in the center. Their former science teacher Mr. Peterson (Sean Cameron Michael), emerges from the shadows and explains the rules – only one of the friends will leave the woods alive. His motive? His son Caleb died of a drug overdose at a party the group hosted, and he holds them accountable.
Once the timers are active, each member of the group finds they have a different length of time, and soon enough, they find out the most crucial rule of the game. Time equals life, and to get extra time, you have to kill your friends. Blue signified the most time, green means you’re safe for now, and red means you need to get it in gear and find which friend you find expendable.
Some go to great lengths to avoid the inevitable, but some accept their role and do so with style. As the cat and mouse game goes on, truths are revealed, which only heightens the tension. As the game nears its conclusion, Rian (Reine Swart) is told another detonator can deactivate the vests. However, as soon as she clicks the button, all remaining vests turn red and enter into sudden death. Things get even crazier until the film’s conclusion.
I really enjoyed “Triggered” for what it was, but it was hard to get past the generic characters at times. They blend into each other too easily, and you find yourself losing track of who teamed up, what each person’s backstory is, but it’s still fun to watch how easily each turns on another.
Having said that, the star of the show is Russel Crous as Kato. Kato is the one character that accepts what’s happening from the start and takes on his new role with delight. He also delivers some of the best lines in the film.
“Triggered” is so much fun, especially for those who love bad horror movies. It’s dark and gory with a surprisingly good amount of humor. While it won’t rank among the horror heavyweights, “Triggered” is fun and disturbing watch.